"Geriatric" is not a word any of us want to hear. Especially when it comes to the ideas of our beloved pets.
Can you believe that a cat is a "senior" at age 11-14, and "geriatric" at age 15 +!
A medium size dog is considered a senior at 8-9 years old, a large breed dog as early as 6-7 years of age, and a small dog a senior at around 9-10 years.
It's better to catch things quickly, rather than let them slowly get worse! "I watch for drinking a lot and urinating a lot, in my old cat, Mr. Prince!" says Dr. Katie. "Same for dogs! I always pay attention to weight loss (without dieting), drinking a lot, accidents in the house becoming more frequent, and not finishing food like they used to."
The good news is, when you see these symptoms, simple in-house bloodwork will give you same-day results to put your mind at ease and to catch the early part of many diseases, making it easier to turn around. Call us anytime to set up "geriatric bloodwork" and a good thorough physical exam!